Multiple users using one iPhoto library on a server

I'm working in a design company and we have a huge folder stuffed with reference images on our server. Accessing it is ok using Adobe Bridge but I recently had an idea to create an iPhoto library on the server, this would allow people to quickly find relevant images and by keyword or album. I set it up and all worked fine until I tried opening the library up on a colleagues machine. turns out the folder is 'locked' and completely unaccessable if someone else had it open. Is there a way to make the library more flexible so that more than one person can use it at one time? Thanks

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. IPhoto is not designed to be used on a network server. iPhoto is not reliable on any drive that isn't formatted OS X Extended. If the library is located on an OS X Extended formatted external HD withownership set to be ignored and connected to a Mac it can be accessed and used by other Macs. Just create a guest account that others can use to get to the external HD.
If you want multi user compatibility I suggest you look at one of the DAM (digital asset management) applications that offer that - like Media Expression. Other possible DAM applications are described and discussed at The DAM Forum.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier versions) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

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